Pub. 1 2012 Issue 3

10 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s T HE 2012 KANSAS AG BANKERS CONFERENCE, held on March 14th and 15th, was extremely well attended with a record number of 190 agricultural bankers. The KSU Alumni Center once again provided a comfortable and familiar venue that has kept ag lenders coming back for more. Sid Graber, President of KBA’s Kansas Ag Bankers (KAB) Division kicked off the event by welcoming conference mainstay Dr. David Kohl, who provided an update on The Wild World of Global Economics. Dr. Kohl shared a remarkable presentation highlighting the challenges facing the agricultural landscape, such as rising energy costs and emerging global competitors such as China and Brazil. Following his formal remarks, Dr. Kohl shared the stage with Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh for an animated discussion centering on agricultural economics and politics. The two delved into possible changes in the 2012 Farm Bill as well as concerns over a possible agricultural land price bubble and how it might impact ag lenders in the next five years. Other speakers on day one of this year’s conference included Dr. Bryan Schurle, KSUAg Econ Department faculty, who shared his insight on Agriculture Real Estate values and Don Preusser, President of John Deere Insurance Company, who discussed how precision ag technology is influencing how agricultural producers utilize and benefit from crop insurance. The first day was wrapped up with a look at technological advances in crop production products from Mark Lawson of Monsanto. The conference’s second day began with a hardy chuckle served up by Kelly Lenz’s (WIBW Radio) Sunrise Ag News Report. Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat followed with a brief introduction of the new Kansas Wheat Innovation Center scheduled for construction on the northern edge of the KSU campus. The center is scheduled to be complete by this time next year. The KAB Division’s Annual Meeting was also held the second morning of the conference and included the induction of new officers and a report of the many programs being sponsored by the division. The KAB Division 2012-13 officer team is as follows: PRESIDENT- Matt Lee, Centera Bank Branch, Satanta VICE PRESIDENT- Shan Hanes, First National Bank, Elkhart SECRETARY/ TREASURER- Troy Soukup, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Ellsworth PAST PRESIDENT- Sid Graber, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Pretty Prairie Another highlight of the annual meeting was the presentation of the 2012 Pioneer Award, which was presented to Leon Flax, Senior Vice President with the agricultural loan department of Fidelity State Bank & Trust Company in Dodge City. Flax was recognized for exemplifying the best in agricultural lending during his 40+ year career as an agricultural banker. This was the inaugural presentation of the Pioneer Award, which will become an annual affair at the KAB Division annual meeting. Following adjournment of the annual meeting, Randy Blach, Cattle Fax provided an intriguing update on cattle market trends accompanied by sought after handouts outlining how the shrinking cattle herd is impacting beef cattle prices. Darrell Holaday, with Advanced Market Concepts, followed with a high energy presentation focusing on the cash and futures grain markets. Attendees were also treated to spring weather forecast provided by BryceAnderson, a climatologist expert with DTNAg Weather services. No one was disappointed with a great closing luncheon and the KSU basketball game featured on the alumni center’s pair of big screens. Intertwined with viewing the Wildcat’s men’s basketball team advance in the NCAA tournament was a final presentation from Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, regarding how much risk the government should protect in agriculture. Flinchbaugh shared information on federal government debt, net cash farm income and the strength of U.S. agricultural trade with foreign nations. The combination of a record crowd and top notch presentations from leading experts in the ag policy and ag economics communities made the 2012 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference one for the record books. Special thanks to each and every Kansas banker that attended this year’s event. RECORD ATTENDANCE AT THE 2012 KANSAS AG BANKERS CONFERENCE Dr. David Kohl addresses a record number of attendees for the 2012 Kansas Ag Bankers Conference. Darrell Holaday, Ad- vanced Marketing Concepts/Country Futures, discusses the impact of ethanol on corn and other grain prices. Dr. David Kohl and Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh re- sponded to questions relating to farm policy and global economics. Leon Flax, Fidelity State Bank and Trust, Dodge City, was presented the first ever Pio- neer Award from KAB Presi- dent Sid Graber. Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, shares the lat- est information on beef cattle inventory. Newly appointed KAB Division VP, Shan Hanes, First Na- tional Bank, Elkhart, introduces Darrell Holaday. Newly Elected KAB Division President Matt Lee, Centera Bank, thanks Sid Graber, Citizens Bank of Kansas, for leading the KAB Division for the last year.